Switch construction



E. N- JACOBI. A SWITCH CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED APR. .19, I919.

1,437,659, Patented Dec. 5, 1922.

EGI-Z 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INESSES;

E. N. JACOBI. SWITCH CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILEU APR.19, 1919.

1,487,659,, Patented Dec. 5, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/VENTOF? a Fatented Dec. i922.

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EDVIARLD N. JACOBI, OF MIL VTAUKEE, \VISC'ONSI N, ASSIGNOR TO BRIGGS & STRATTQN COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE'WISOONSIN, A CORPORATION"OF,WISGONSIN.

SVJITCH CONSTRUCTIONQ Application filed April 19, 1919.: Serial 110.291.,249;

To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I EDWARD N. JAooBI, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of \Visconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switch Construction, of whichthe following is a description, reference being had to" the accompanying drawings, which are a part ofthis specification.

This invention relates to switch construction which is particularly adapted for con- With the above and other objects in view,

the invention consists in the switch structure as herein claimed and all equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts in different views:

Fig. l is a front view, of a switch'construction embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal central sectional? view thereof;

Fig. is a front viewof a fragment of the front plate showing the switch opening thereof;

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the switch;

Fig. 5 is a similar view with the'switoh sectioned and the terminal head removed;

Fig. 6 is an innerface-view of the terminal head with the switch case in section;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7- -7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the key guide;

Fig. 9 is a view of the key;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the separate parts of one of the switch members;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the locking bolt therefor;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a modified form of the lighting switch for use with separate dim headlights;

F ig. 13 is a rear view of the terminal headfor such switchconstruction;

,ltis a view-of the key guide; and, Fig. 15 1s a vlewxof the keyin the key guide,"

- Inthese drawings 15 indicates a switchpanel or frontplateadapted to be secured to the cowl or instrument board of an automobile by screws passedthroughthe corner openings.

On the rear of this sheet metal switch panel is a cup-shaped sheet metal switch case 16 secured in place by means of rivets I 17' passing through its closedend and through the switch paneL The rear open "end of the switch case 16 has a disk-shaped terminal head '1 7 of insulating material fittedkthereto; Wltll projecting lugs 18 on the edge of'the switch case fitting in notches in the edge of the terminal head to correct 1y positioncthe terminal head; WVhile" the closed? endgof the switch case 16 bears against the back of the front plate through out the greater portion thereof,'for reasons which will later appear it is indented at "certainplaces to form nut receiving pockets 19 in which nuts 20 maybe held between the end of the switch case and the ba-cli of the front plate, such" pockets opening out-" wardly to permit of theinsertionor removal of the nuts. Clamping screws 21 pass through openings in the terminal-head and the end of the switch case and have threaded engagement. with the nuts 20 for I clamping the terminal head on the switch case, theheads .of said screws being preferably countersunlr within the back of the terminal head and provided with lock washers 22, as seen in Fig; 7.

The switch case may contain any number of switch members, butas shown there are two, alike and symmetrically arrangechand a description of one will answer for both.

A. circular switch opening 23 in the front plate registers with a somewhat smaller opening 24 in the end of the switch case '16 so thatthe two produce a shoulder, as seen in Fig. 3, against which the circular base of a switch'handle 25 bearsgsuch circular base being'let into the opening 23 and turning freely therein through :a'range of movement determined by the engagementof stop shoulders 26 projecting from the bottom of the switch hancllewith' stop shoulders formed by a projection 27 on the switch case bent inwardly 'from the edge of the opening'2-4t. ':As' seen iii-Fig. 10, theswitch handle 25 has a shoulder 28 fitting within the opening 24 of the switch case. The projection on the bottom of the switch handle forming the stop shoulders 26 is divided by a deep groove 29 in which is seated an anchor-shaped thrust plate 30 secured 1n place by a screw 31 passing through 1ts shank and threading into the base of the switch handle. The larger arc-shaped end of the anchor-shaped thrust plate 30 bears against the inner face of the end wall of the switch case around the opening 24, and the smaller arc-shaped end of the thrust plate 30 bears against the projection 27, as clearly seen in Fig. 2, the parts being slightly bent to ensure their bearing contact without interfering with the turning movements and serving to firmly hold the switch handle against withdrawal.

The slotted projection on the base of the switch handle has an inclined face, and a sheet of insulating material 32 is clamped thereto by means of screws 38. A Y-shaped contact spring 34 is connected by rivets to the sheet of insulating material 32 and a thin sheet of insulating material 36 is interposed between the sheet 32 and the face of the lug to prevent contact between the rivets 35 and screw 31 or other metal parts.

The contact spring 34 is preferably laminated or formed of more than one layer of sheet metal, and the ends of its contact arms are convened to form rounded bearing surfaces bearing with spring pressure against the inner face of the terminal head where in the different positions of the switch handle they are adapted to engage recessed contact studs 37 tightly fitting in openings of the terminal head to establish circuit connections. Screws 88 are threaded in the ends of the terminal studs 37 to form binding posts and to clamp thereto metal straps forming connectors 39.

When it is desired to lock one of the switches, such as the ignition switch, for preventing unauthorized use of the auto mobile, a key-operated locking bolt maybe provided for engaging the switch handle. .4. flat sheet metal strip constitutes the locking bolt 40 slidably mounted in a groove 41 formed by a slot cut through the closed end. of the switch case 16 and extending from one switch member to the other. The locking bolt is'confined in the groove 41 formed. by this slot and the back of the front plate by the large arc-shaped ends of the thrust plates 30. A. projection 42 on one side of the lock bolt 41 travels in an off-set portion of the slot 40 and is bent up at an angle to the plane of the locking bolt and is slotted to receive the end of a spring 43 which is riveted to the side wall of the switch case at 44 by rivets cut from the wall of the switch case. The tendency of the spring is to force thelockin'g bolt 40 to the right, as

seen in Fig. 5, so that its reduced end will engage with a. locking notch 45 formed in the shoulder 28 of the ignition switch handle, shown in Fig. 11.. The other end of the locking bolt is incapable of engaging the lighting switch handle as it is shorter.

A key 46, such as shown in Fig. i), is adapted to be entered through an opening in the front plate for moving the spring 43 and thereby sliding the bolt out of its engagement with the ignition switch handle. A bent-up sheet metal key guide, shown in Fig. 8, forms a slotted cup-shaped cscutch eon'plate 47 rotatably mounted in a circu lar opening in the front plate. At diametrh cally opposite points the rearwardly turned edges of the ecutcheon plate are provided with outwardly projecting lugs 48 to bear against the back of the front plate. An arcshaped recess 49 is formed in the edge of the opening in the end of the switch case to accommodate one of the lugs 48 and form stop shoulders enga ed thereby for limiting the turning movements of the escutcbeon plate, while an arc-shaped depression 15 formed in the opposite portion of the opening in the end of the switch case to produce between it and the front plate a pocket 50 to accommodate the other lug 48. The lug 48 confined in the pocket 50 serves to steady L the escutcheon plate and take the inward end-thrust thereof.

The key guide further comprises a flaring recess 49.

The side channel 51 formed by opposite flanges and a connecting web is flaring at its upper end, as seen in Fig. 14, t0 facilitate the entry of the key, and the flanges are parallel near their lower ends. At its lower end the key guide has an endpiece 52 formed in extension of the web portion of the side channel 51 and bent over to lie against the opposite flanges of the channel portion, and said end-piece is provided with an opening 53 centered on the axis of the key guide and fitting around a post 54 pro .jecting from the inner face of the terminal head 17. The post 54 is embedded. in the terminal head 17 and projects beyond the end-piece 52 of the key guide, the parallel flanges of the key guide being cut away at 55 to accommodate it. up from the terminal. head to have its end. lie about even with the front edge of the spring 43, which passes close to it and be side serving as a pivotal. mounting for the key guide it blocks the entry of a blade, such as ascrewdriver, and prevents it from gaining access to the spring for false operation of the lock. The key 46 is flat and just fits within the slot in the escutcheon plate and within the side channel 51 of the key guide,

The post 54 stands and provided with a slot 56 in its end to receire the end of the post 54-, and when it is turned the key guide turns with it and in guiding the key to its proper position.

At the edge of the opening in the end of the switch case there is a lug 59 projecting inwardly to engage in a notch 60 in the edge of the key when the key is'in the position in which the switch is unlocked, thus serving to prevent the withdrawal ofthe key and preventing the operation of the switch by means of a key not provided with such notch.

The switch illustrated may be used for controlling the lights and the ignition, and the ignition switch. may be locked by the removal ofthe key, either when the switch is in its off position, or in one of its on positions. lVhen thekey is removed when the switch is in one of its on positions, the switch is not locked until it is returned to its off position, at which time the spring 43 returns the locking bolt 40 to the notch d5 of'the ignition switch handle and thus prevents further movement of the ignition switch. Any desirable wiring connections may be made with the contact studs 38 or. the back of theterminal head, and when one set of headlight lamps are used a resister 61 may be connected between the twJ extreme contact studs of the lighting switch, but when said studs are connected separately to large and small headlights, as indicated in Fig. 13, it may be desirable to provide a supplemental contact stud62 containing a spring-pressed plunger 63 hearing against the forked contact spring 84- so as to make connection for the rear lights whenever the switch is in position for making either of the headlight connections.

hat Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a switch, a front plate, a switch ease having one end open. and the other end secured to the back of the front plate and provided with indentations forming pockets with the back of the front plate. nuts fitting in said pockets, a terminal head fitting on the open end of the switch case, andscrews passing through the terminal head and threaded in the nuts.

2. In switch, the combination of a front plate, a cup-shapedswitch case with its closed end secured to the back of the front" nuts" littingi n the pockets, lugsprojecting from tl e rear'open endof the switch case. a terminal headbearing against the rear end of the switch case and having notches in which the lugs fit, and screws passed through the terminal head and the indentations of the switch case and threaded in the nuts.

3. In a switch, the combination of a front plate, a cup-shaped switch case with its closed end secured to the back of the front plate, there being registering openingsin said end of the switch case and the front plate, the opening in the end of the switch casebeing smaller than the opening in the front plate, a switch handle having a thrust shoulder fitting within the opening of the front plate and against the exposed edge of the end of the switch case, a thrust plate secured to the switch handle and bearing against the inner surface of the end of the switch case, a switch member mounted on the switch handle, and a terminal head secured to the open end of the switch case and provided with contacts engaged by the switch member.

4;. In a switch, the combination of a front plate, a cup-shaped switch case with its closed end secured to the back of the front plate, there being an opening in the front plate registering with a smaller opening in the end of the switoh'case,a switch handle fitting in the opening of the front plate and bearing against the exposed edge of the opening in the switch :case, there being A slot in the-end of the switch handle, a thrust plate passing through said slot and bearing on the end of the switch case, a strip of insulating material secured to the end'of the switchhandle across the slot, a switch member secured to the strip of insulating material by securing means disposed within the slot, and a terminal head on the end of the switch case having contacts engaged by the switch member.

5. In aswitch, the combination of a front plate, a cup-shaped switch case secured to the back of the frontplate, there being registeringopenings in the front plate and the end of the switch case, a switch handle pass-- ing through said openings and provided with an inclined slotted end, a thrust plate l..

secured to the-switch handle within the slot, at strip of insulating material. secured to theend of the switch handle across the slot, an inclined contact spring having securing means connecting it with the stripof insulation and disposedwithin the slot. a sheet of insulating material between the insulatingstrip and the end of the switch handlecovering the connecting means, and a terminal head at the end of the switch case havin a contacteneaged b i the con- 21 C3 A l tact spring.

6. In a switch, the combination of a front plate, a cup-shapedswitch case secured to the back thereof,-therebeing an opening the front plate rcgstering with a smaller opening in the end of the switch case, stop shoulders in the switch case opening, a switch handt passing through the registew ing openings and. provided with shoulders for engaging the stop shoulders, a thrust plate secured to the switch handle and bear-- mg against the inner face of the switch case a switch member carried by the switch handle, and a terminal head on the end of the switch case having contact engaged by the switch member.

7. In a switch, the combination of a front plate, a cup-shaped switch case secured to the back thereof, there being registering openings in the front plate and the end of the switch case, a switch handle passing through the re istering openings, a thrust plate secured to the switch handle and hearing on the inner face of the switch case, a switch member mounted on the switch handle, a terminal head in the end of the switch case having a contact engaged by the switch member, there being a slot in the end of the switch case, a lock bolt slidably mounted in the slot and confined by the thrust plate, and means for operating the bolt, there being a recess in the switch handle engaged by the locking bolt in one position thereof.

8. In a switch, the combination of a front plate, a cup-shaped switch case secured to the back of the front plate, there being registering openings in the front plate and the switch case, a switch handle passing through said openings, a thrust plate secured to the switch handle and bearing on the inner face of the end of the switch case, a switch member carried by the switch handle, a terminal head having a contact engaged by the switch member, there being a slot in the end of the switch case, and a key-operated springpressed locking bolt slidably mounted in the slot and confined by the thrust plate, there being a recess in the switch handle to receive the end of the locking bolt.

9. In a switch, the combination of a front plate, a cup-shaped switch case secured to the back thereof, there being registering openings in the front plate and the end of the switch case, a swi ch handle passing through the registering openings and provided with a slotted end, an anchorshaped thrust plate fitting in the slot and secured to the switch. handle aml bearing on the inner face of the switch case, a switch member car ried y the slotted end of the switch handle, a terminal head having a contactengaged by the switch member, a slot in the end of the switch case, and a spring-pressed key-opera ed lock bolt slidably fitting in the slot and confined by the arc-shaped end of the anchor-shaped thrust plate in the different positions of the switch handle, there being a recess in the switch handle engaged by the locking bolt in one position thereof.

l0. In a. switch, the combination of a front plate, a switch case secured. thereto, a switch handle passing through openings in the front plate and the switch case, a switch member on the switch handle. a tern'iinalhead on the switch case having a contact engaged by the switch member, a slidably mounted lock bolt adapted to engage a recess in the switch handle, a spring secured to the switch case and engaging the lock bolt, a post standing up from the terminal head, a key guide comprising a channel member having an escutcheon plate at one end fitting in an opening in the front plate and an opening at the other end fitting on said post, and a key adapted to be entered through a slot in the escutcheon plate and having a slot on its end to permit it to straddle the post, said key when turned with the key guide serving to engage and move the spring.

11. In a switch, the combination of a front plate, a cup-shaped switch case secured to the back thereof, a terminal head on the switch case, a switch member within the switch case operated by a handle passing through the front plate, a flaring channel shaped key guide having an escutcheon plate at one end fitting in an opening in the front plate and a projection at the other end provided with. an opening, a post on the terminal head fitting in the opening of said projection, oppositely extending lugs on the escutcheon plate, there being a recess in the end wall of the switch case to receive one of the lugs forming stop shoulders at its ends for limiting the movement of the key guide, a pocket formed by a depression, of the end of the switch case awav from the front plate to contain the other lug, a projection on the pocket, a key adapted to pass through a slot in the rscutcheon plate and provided with a slot on its end to permit it to straddle the post and having a projection to bear against the projection on the pocket, a lug on the end of the switch case adapted to enter a notch in the edge of the key when the key is in unlocking position for preventing the removal of the key, a spring secured to the switch case and engaged by the key when it is moved to its unlocking position, and a locking bolt engaging the spring and adapted to be held thereby in locking engagement with the switch handle.

12. In a switch, the combiiuitiou of a front plate, a cup-shaped switch case secured to the back thereof, a pair of switch handles passing through openings in the front plate and the end of the switch case, thrust plates secured to the switch handles and bearing on the inner face of the end of the switch case, contact springs mounted on the switch handles, a terminal head on the switch case having contacts engaged by the contact springs, there being a slot in the end of the switch case, a locking bolt slidably mounted in the l. l O

slot and confined therein by the thrust plates of both switch handles, a spring secured to the switch case and engaging the lock bolt, a recess on one switch handle entered by the lock bolt, and means for removing the lock bolt from the said recess.

13. In a switch, the combination of a front plate, a switch case secured thereto, a switch handle having an inclined end, a contact spring mounted on the inclined end of the handle, a terminal head in the end of the switch case having a contact engaged by the contact spring, a terminal stud in the terminal head opposite the switch handle, and a spring-pressed plunger in the terminal stud bearing on the contact spring.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD N. JACOBI. lVitnesses GAMILLA EBERT, GENEVIEVE KING. 

